Policies Don’t Create Culture — People Do: Restoring Civility, Connection & Community at Work (Wednesday, April 08, 2026)

Wed, 08 Apr 2026 14:30:00 GMT

Policies Don’t Create Culture — People Do: Restoring Civility, Connection & Community at Work

Hosted by The Leadership Edge and The Alexandria SD Tech Center, the industry leading campus for tech and life science companies.

In today’s fast-paced, polarized, and increasingly digital workplaces, organizations are discovering that policies alone cannot create a healthy culture; people and daily interactions do. This session explores how civility and respect serve as the foundation for trust, collaboration, and psychological safety, ultimately driving engagement and performance. Participants will examine the hidden costs of workplace incivility and disconnection, and why belonging is built through small, consistent leadership behaviors rather than large initiatives.

Drawing on research from organizational psychology, neuroscience, and real-world leadership experience, this session provides practical tools leaders and HR professionals can immediately apply to strengthen connection and rebuild community at work. Attendees will learn how to model respectful communication, navigate tension constructively, and foster environments where employees feel seen, valued, and motivated to contribute. Through interactive reflection and actionable strategies, participants will leave equipped to transform everyday moments into culture-shaping opportunities. The result is not just a kinder workplace but a stronger, more resilient organization.

Learn how to:

Describe how civility and respect contribute to trust, psychological safety, and organizational performance.
Recognize the hidden costs of workplace incivility—including disengagement, turnover, and reduced collaboration—and their impact on culture.
Apply practical leadership behaviors and communication strategies that strengthen connection, belonging, and everyday positive interactions.
Navigate tension and difficult moments constructively to model the behaviors that build a resilient, inclusive workplace community.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Meet Our Guest Speaker:

Devin C. Hughes

Devin C. Hughes is an award‑winning keynote speaker, bestselling author, and internationally recognized expert on workplace culture, belonging, and leadership. Known for his dynamic storytelling and evidence‑based insights, Devin helps organizations transform disengaged, siloed environments into connected, high‑performing cultures where people thrive.

Drawing on decades of experience advising Fortune 100 companies, startups, and mission‑driven organizations—including Disney, Google, State Farm, Lockheed Martin, and the Department of Defense—he delivers practical frameworks leaders can immediately apply to strengthen engagement, communication, and collaboration.

A special thank you to The Leadership Edge, our monthly sponsor, for their valued partnership and support of the SDHR Forum and San Diego HR community.

Annual Sponsors:

Meeting Location:

SD Tech by Alexandria, 9605 Scranton Rd. San Diego, CA 92121

Parking Information:

Visitor parking is located to the north of building address 9605 Scranton Rd and in front/west of building address 9675 Scranton Rd (Karl Strauss).

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Business Fluency for HR: From Insights to Influence (Wednesday, May 13, 2026)

Wed, 13 May 2026 14:30:00 GMT

Business Fluency for HR: From Insights to Influence

Hosted by The Leadership Edge and Campus Point by Alexandria, the pinnacle of premier meeting and conference spaces.

Today’s business environment is complex, fast-moving, and shaped by constant change. Market pressures, evolving strategies, organizational transformation, and competing priorities all influence leadership decisions. For HR leaders, succeeding in this environment requires more than strong functional expertise—it requires business fluency and the ability to translate insight into influence.

Join the SDHR Forum for a practical conversation on how HR leaders can strengthen their understanding of the business and use that knowledge to drive greater impact. This discussion will explore concrete, actionable ways HR can gain deeper business insights and how that fluency elevates communication, credibility, and partnership with executive leaders.

The session will focus on how clear, strategic communication—grounded in business realities—enables HR to align people strategies with organizational priorities and influence outcomes at the leadership table.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Meet Our Guest Speakers:

Gaylene Xanthopoulos

Gaylene Xanthopoulos is a seasoned leadership strategist and trusted advisor with more than 36 years of experience guiding boards, executives, and senior leaders in science‑ and technology‑driven organizations. A Wharton‑trained economist, Gaylene brings deep business insight, curiosity, and creativity to her work—helping leaders bridge today’s realities with their company’s future vision. As Founder and CEO of The Leadership Edge, she has built an award‑winning firm that has developed more than 8,000 board members and leaders across 1,000+ innovative organizations. Her work spans executive coaching, board effectiveness, organizational development, and the design of forward‑thinking learning strategies that accelerate performance and growth.

Most recently, Gaylene led the acquisition of 2Connect, uniting leadership and organizational development with world‑class communication and presentation expertise to create a uniquely comprehensive partnership for high‑growth, highly technical companies. A published author, sought‑after speaker, and recipient of numerous business and leadership awards—including multiple honors from the San Diego Business Journal—Gaylene is known not only for her strategic clarity and insight, but also for her energy, humor, and ability to make complex challenges both engaging and actionable.

Diane West

Diane West is a strategist, innovator, and problem‑solver who thrives on turning complex business challenges into practical, forward‑thinking solutions. As Chief Innovation Officer, she focuses on understanding what clients need today—and anticipating what they’ll need next—bringing together strong business acumen with deep expertise in facilitation, coaching, and curriculum design to create offerings that deliver real impact.

Formerly President and Founder of 2Connect, Diane brings more than 25 years of experience leading a globally recognized consulting and training firm. She is the architect behind 2Connect’s flagship programs, including Present to Influence, Communicate with Purpose, and Meetings that Matter. While known for building scalable solutions, Diane still loves rolling up her sleeves to coach and train—where her energy, insight, and practical approach shine most.